AFL Round 10 – Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide: The heat is on

Tavis Perry finds himself on the spot in Darwin watching his Bulldogs battle the heat (and low expectations). He’s forced to reassess his view of the coach.

David Williams – a coaching legacy

David Williams is a name synonymous with country footy, leading Rochester to two premierships in the powerful Goulburn Valley Football League. He’s now looking to repeat that feat with Kyabram.

Tiwi Bombers try to disrupt natural NTFL order

The Tiwi Bombers and league powerhouse St Mary’s face off in the NTFL Grand Final in Darwin on Saturday. Tavis Perry runs the ruler over both teams .

Job opportunities with AFL NT

Tavis Perry of the AFL NT says there are some terrific opporunities available in the organisation, including his former job as a Regional Development Manager based at Elcho Island; a remote location based 500km east of Darwin where one of the biggest Indigenous communities in Australia, Galiwinku, is situated (read an account of it here). [Read more]

Wadeye Dockers celebrate Grand Final victory

Ralph

Three years ago I was given the opportunity of a lifetime when appointed  Regional Development Manager (RDM) for AFL NT. For the next two years my home was Elcho Island; a remote location based 500km east of Darwin where one of the biggest Indigenous communities in Australia, Galiwinku, is situated. I’ll never forget the first [Read more]

Pandora’s box opened?

Anyone who’s read any of my articles on footy almanac would’ve realized how much males love playing AFL on Elcho Island. Basically the only community on Elcho Island (Galiwinku) is home to 2,200 individuals, yet the senior competition has 9 teams and over 350 participants! Last weekend the senior Grand Final was played in front [Read more]

Jermaine’s story

by Tavis Perry Last Friday was a really proud day for myself and the people of Galiwinku. Jermaine Wunungmurra, who had literally just celebrated his 18th birthday, had made the plunge and moved from one of the remotest communities in Australia, to Melbourne. Old Carey, who have been one of the shining lights in the [Read more]

Zephi Skinner leaps tall buildings, and an Almanac correspondent

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to play a couple of games for the NT Thunder side this year. They compete in the QAFL and unfortunately for them they were scraping the bottom of the barrel, player wise. I happened to be in town and they reluctantly decided they had no alternative but [Read more]

THE ELCHO BOYS LOVE THEIR FOOTY!

I’ve lived in the remote aboriginal community of Galiwinku, Elcho Island for well over a year now and am still astounded by how much they love their AFL. Last year we had a really successful senior season, with 7 teams competing in a gripping battle for the premiership. With 3 rounds to go all 7 [Read more]

Dees triumph in NT thriller

I love my footy. Always have; always will. That’s probably the main instigation in my relocation to Elcho Island, a remote aboriginal community located 500km east of Darwin. And even though my role as a Development Manager for AFL NT involves running footy programs 24/7, I couldn’t help but be excited as I travelled to [Read more]

Elcho Island footy an inspiration

Not many people have been to, or heard of, Elcho Island. And to be honest, before I accepted the position of Regional Development Manager for AFL NT, I hadn’t, either. It’s a unique place in that it’s a remote aboriginal community and one that every white person who I’ve spoken to agrees every Australian should [Read more]

18 might just go into 2

by Tavis Perry There are going to be 18 teams in the AFL competition by 2012. While I’m all for expanding the competition and growing the game nationally, I honestly think the time is right to look at introducing two conferences instead of having the mundane set-up we have now. I understand there will be [Read more]

A new-found respect

by Tavis Perry I’ve only been living in a remote indigenous community for 2 months, but already I have a much greater respect and appreciation for the hurdles that Liam Jurrah, and indeed the Melbourne Football Club had to make, in order to establish him at AFL level. Growing up in an all aboriginal ‘community’ [Read more]

General Footy Writing: Watch out for the termite mound!

I’ve recently moved to Galiwinku, which is the second largest Aboriginal community in Australia. It is based in a place called Elcho Island, which is a part of Arnhem land and situated about 500 kilometres east of Darwin. There are only 3,000 people in the community, but surprisingly there are eight football sides that make [Read more]

Yarra Man: I love the quirks of local footy grounds

By Tavis Perry A mate of mine says Ovens and Murray Football League club Corowa-Rutherglen has the best ground he’s seen in country footy. Indeed, when I played at the John Foord Oval for the first time earlier this year I was struck by its tranquillity and scenic appeal. It’s surrounded by immense gum trees, [Read more]

Yarra Man: Watts is a worry; Dees should have taken Rich

By Tavis Perry There’s been a plethora of recent media reports on Jack Watts, and why wouldn’t there be given the No.1 draft pick always creates more headlines than other drafted players? This is especially so because the No.1 pick is generally a shining light in an otherwise dim period for his club. Being a [Read more]

Yarra Man: Make the TAC Cup an under-23 competition

By Tavis Perry I’ve often wondered if the AFL has got it right with the TAC cup. There’s no doubt that most of the players who are drafted come out of this competition, but I wonder if the AFL could utilise the TAC Cup better as a breeding ground for potential players. I think it [Read more]

Yarra Man: Rugby league origin games go all right

By Tavis Perrry As an avid sports lover, I really enjoyed watching the rugby league state-of-origin clash between NSW and Queensland, in particular the maroons’ star-studded and highly formidable defensive end. With AFL being my footy code of choice, I couldn’t help but compare the differences that I see between the AFL and NRL. The [Read more]

Yarra Man: All together now

By Tavis Perry This year I’m playing for Yarrawonga, which is affiliated with the Ovens and Murray Football League. Like a lot of country players I’m living and working in Melbourne, which makes it impossible to get to training with the team in Yarrawonga. This is common for county footballers. Yarrawonga have 13 footballers who [Read more]